June 15, 2026
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 15, 2026 - WorldatWork, a globally recognized authority in HR and Rewards education, has announced a new strategic partnership with LEORON Institute, a leading corporate training and professional development provider in the GCC.
Through this collaboration, LEORON Institute becomes an authorized partner of WorldatWork in the GCC, bringing globally respected certifications and learning solutions to HR professionals across the region. This partnership marks a significant step in localizing world-class expertise and making internationally benchmarked training more accessible to organizations in the Middle East.
As organizations across the GCC undergo rapid transformation and compete on a global scale, the demand for sophisticated, data-driven compensation and rewards strategies has intensified. However, access to structured, globally aligned certification programs in the region has historically been limited. This partnership addresses that gap, enabling HR professionals to build critical capabilities locally, while aligning with international standards.
The collaboration is designed to address the growing need for specialized expertise in compensation and benefits (C&B) and total rewards. By equipping HR professionals with globally recognized frameworks, the partnership supports organizations in designing competitive, equitable, and future-ready rewards strategies, an essential factor in attracting, retaining, and motivating top talent in increasingly competitive labor markets.
As part of the initial rollout, LEORON Institute will introduce a curated selection of WorldatWork programs, focusing on high-impact, modular learning pathways. These will include components from the Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) pathways, alongside flagship courses such as Essentials of Compensation Management and Essentials of Executive Compensation.
The programs are tailored for HR professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in rewards, including compensation and benefits specialists, HR generalists, HR business partners, and talent management professionals. The primary focus markets will be Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with expansion planned across the wider GCC.
“This partnership marks an important milestone in strengthening the HR capability landscape in the region,” said Selvie Selimi, Director, HR Academy at LEORON Institute. “By collaborating with WorldatWork, we are equipping HR professionals with globally recognized frameworks and practical tools to design competitive, fair, and future-ready rewards strategies. This is essential as organizations across the GCC continue to compete for top talent and align with international best practices.”
WorldatWork brings decades of expertise in total rewards, supporting organizations worldwide in developing effective compensation, benefits, and work experience strategies. By combining this global knowledge with LEORON Institute’s strong regional presence and delivery capabilities, the partnership is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful and lasting impact, both at the individual and organizational level.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing the HR profession on a global scale by making world-class learning and certifications more accessible where they are needed most,” said Scott Cawood, CEO of WorldatWork. “As the GCC continues to emerge as a hub for innovation and talent, organizations require leaders who are equipped with globally benchmarked expertise in total rewards. Through our collaboration with LEORON Institute, we are proud to help build that capability in-region, empowering HR professionals to drive more competitive, equitable, and future-focused workplaces.”
This collaboration reinforces LEORON Institute’s commitment to delivering world-class learning solutions and advancing the professional growth of HR leaders across the Middle East, while helping organizations build the capabilities needed to sustain long-term success in a rapidly evolving talent landscape
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About LEORON Institute
LEORON Institute is a leading corporate training and EdTech company in the Middle East, specializing in professional development and executive education. With a strong presence across the GCC, LEORON delivers high-impact training solutions in areas such as HR, leadership, finance, project management, and digital transformation. Through strategic partnerships with global institutions and industry experts, LEORON empowers organizations and professionals to build critical skills, drive performance, and achieve sustainable growth.
About WorldatWork
WorldatWork is the premier global HR community, dedicated to helping people leaders create the conditions where great work and great lives can thrive. With more than 70 years of leadership in compensation, benefits, and total rewards, the organization continues to evolve its expertise across the full spectrum of HR and people strategy. Through world-class education, certifications, research, and thought leadership, WorldatWork empowers professionals to build fair, competitive, and future-ready workplaces where people can join, grow, and succeed.
WorldatWork brings great work to life, by helping organizations build workplaces that are fair, meaningful, and sustainable; places where people do their best work and build better lives for themselves and others.
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